Kunle Adelabu
In preparations for the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas elections in Lagos State, the Chairman of the Lagos State Independent electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon. Justice Ayotunde A. Phillips, and other members of the Commission, on Monday, July 13, 2020, embarked on a marathon familiarisation tour of council areas in Ikorodu Division.
During the tour, the commission solicited for the supports of the council Chairmen in rehabilitation and provision of a safe and secured office space for its staff and electoral materials in their respective councils.
The LASIEC Chairman was represented at the tour by a Commissioner in the commission, Dr Bunmi Omoseyinde.
Speaking at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, LASIEC Chairman said that the commission was touring its offices in all the Council areas in the State to know the situation and challenges that they are facing.
“This is just a familiarization tour of our offices in the local council areas. We are here to see state of our offices, their challenges”, he said.
“Although, we are yet to pick date for the next councils, but we are here to see what we have on ground”.
An officer of the Commission, who also spoke during the visit to the Ikorodu Local government, commended the council for allocating office for the Commission and solicited for the rehabilitation of the office and provision of office furniture.
“We commend Ikorodu Local Government for the provision of office space but there is need for office furniture”.
He also called for the assistance of the council in rehabilitating the office and make it safe for their materials during the coming councils’ elections.
Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, the Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, responding, thanked the Commission for the visit and assured its Chairman of maximum support.
“I thank you for this tour. I am a product of your process three years ago. This is more of parents visiting his child”, Hon. Adeshina said.
“My administration will do everything possible to support the success of the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State”, he assured the Commission.
“I have noted all the commission’s concerns as stated and will liaise with the Council Manager to go into action quickly”.
The LASIEC team, while at Imota LCDA, also commended the council for the office space provided.
In his reaction, Hon. Wasiu Agoro welcomed the state electoral team and also assured them of necessary support.
“On behalf of the Council and entire people of Imota, I welcome you to our council. We are ready and willing to assist in any way to ensure that the next council election is a success”, he assured the visiting team.
At Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, the Commission complained that the space allocated for it by the council is too small and solicited for a bigger space, while also thanking the council for its supports over the years.
The Council Chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, speaking, thanked the team for the visit and explained that most of the units in the council do not have adequate office space due to the demolition of old structures to pave way for the ongoing construction of the ultra- modern council Secretariat.
He, however, pledged that a befitting and spacious office will be allocated to the Commission when the new Secretariat is completed soon.
The representative of the LASIEC Chairman presented the Commission’s calendars and books on election processes, technicalities and administration in Nigeria to the council chairmen.
In return, the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA Chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, presented the Commission with an appreciation plaque.
Others in the LASIEC entourage were Prof. G. Olatunde Babawale, Commissioner in-charge of Ikorodu Division, Chief (Mrs) Toyin Ibrahim – Famakinwa – Tijani, Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Fasu Ayedun, Commissioner, Dr Noah Lawal – Jinadu, Commissioner and Mrs Bandele Sinatu Fadipe, Permanent Secretary, LASIEC, among many others.
